LIVE: Elisa Baker pleads guilty

September 15, 2011

Elisa Baker has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Zahra Baker.â€¨As part of the agreement, she has been sentenced to 177 months up to 222 months in prison.â€¨The hearing continues as law enforcement offer descriptions of the investigation and the search for Zahra Baker. Among details they provided include Elisa Bakerâ€™s statement that Zahra died on Sept. 24, shortly after she was fed. Elisa said she found the child unresponsive inside their Hickory home, and attempted CPR for 20 minutes. Afterward Elisa told police that she told Adam of his 10-year-old childâ€™s death, and that he later helped dismember and hide her body.
HPDâ€™s Thurman Whisnant said police investigations into cell phone records for both Elisa and Adam determined the womanâ€™s alibi was not possible.
A 15-minute recess is winding down, and a fifth witness is expected to testify about the investigation. A press conference and statements from Zahraâ€™s biological parents is expected after the hearing concludes.

Check observernewsonline.com for more details as the hearing continues.